Definition and Context:
Keeping a secret involves the act of withholding information from others, often to protect someone’s privacy, maintain trust, or prevent harm. In the biblical context, the concept of secrecy can be seen in various narratives and teachings, where discretion and wisdom are often highlighted as virtues.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs and Wisdom Literature:
The Book of Proverbs frequently addresses the theme of discretion and the importance of keeping confidences. Proverbs 11:13 states, "A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence." This verse underscores the value of trustworthiness and the moral responsibility to protect sensitive information.

2. Jesus’ Teachings:
Jesus Himself practiced discretion in His ministry. In Mark 1:44, after healing a leper, Jesus instructed him, "See that you don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." This directive highlights the importance of timing and context in revealing information.

3. The Apostolic Example:
The Apostle Paul, in his letters, emphasizes the need for wisdom in communication. In Ephesians 4:29, he advises, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This counsel suggests that discretion in speech, including the keeping of secrets, is integral to edifying others.

4. Old Testament Narratives:
The account of Samson and Delilah in Judges 16 illustrates the consequences of failing to keep a secret. Samson’s strength was tied to the secret of his uncut hair, and his eventual disclosure to Delilah led to his downfall. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of revealing secrets to those who may misuse them.

5. The Role of Secrecy in God’s Plan:
At times, God Himself keeps certain things hidden, revealing them in His own time. Deuteronomy 29:29 states, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law." This verse acknowledges that some knowledge is reserved for God alone, emphasizing the divine prerogative in matters of revelation and secrecy.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

· Trust and Integrity:
Keeping a secret is often a matter of trust and integrity. The Bible encourages believers to be trustworthy and to handle information with care, reflecting the character of God in their interactions.

· Discernment and Wisdom:
The ability to discern when to keep a secret and when to speak is a mark of wisdom. Believers are called to seek God’s guidance in these matters, ensuring that their actions align with His will and purpose.

· Protection and Love:
In some cases, keeping a secret is an act of love and protection, safeguarding others from harm or undue exposure. This aligns with the biblical principle of loving one’s neighbor and acting in their best interest.

Conclusion:
The biblical perspective on keeping a secret is multifaceted, emphasizing trust, wisdom, and love. While discretion is often commended, the Bible also warns against deceit and the misuse of secrecy for harmful purposes. Believers are encouraged to seek God’s wisdom in navigating these complex situations, ensuring that their actions honor Him and reflect His truth.Matthew 17:9
And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
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Romans 10:9
That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.
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Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
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The Upright Does Nothing that is Contrary to Duty...
... contrary to duty? The upright does nothing that is contrary to duty, even
though there is a hope of keeping it secret. To point this ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v the upright does.htm

Kate Lee's Secret
... It is difficult to write of her secret soul life; for, keeping no journal she made
no record of the dealings between her soul and her Beloved; no fights and ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/xiii kate lees secret.htm

September 30. "In the Secret Places of the Stairs" (Song of ...
... "Blessed are the poor in spirit." It is a secret, hidden life. ... Have you got above
the power of sin so that Christ is keeping you from wilful disobedience? ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /september 30 in the secret.htm

The Dancing of Herodias. The Keeping of Oaths.
... saying that not every keeping of oaths is seemly, just as the keeping of the ... Jews
does not openly deny the prophecies, but virtually and in secret denies them ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/22 the dancing of herodias.htm

The Benefits of Christ Made Available to us by the Secret ...
... is safe in the keeping of a faithful God. Hence, also, the Spirit is said to be
"life because of righteousness." But since it is his secret irrigation that ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 the benefits of.htm

The Persons that Became at that Time Leaders of Knowledge Falsely ...
... [1033] Where Eusebius secured the information that the Carpocratians made the magic
rites of Simon public, instead of keeping them secret, as Basilides had done ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vii the persons that became.htm

Secret Study of the Holy Scriptures.
... to a few simple words of suggestion on that practical duty of Secret Bible Reading ...
by leading words, over great breadths of their surface; keeping that subject ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iii secret study of.htm

First, I am to Consider what the Keeping of the Heart Supposes and ...
... " Cleanse thou me from secret faults" " Unite my heart to ... This the people have found
a powerful means of keeping their hearts upright, and awing them from sin. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/first i am to consider.htm

Keeping and Kept
... But again, seeing that the world has more evil than good in it, the keeping of the ...
saying 'No' to the whole crowd of tempters is always the main secret of a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/keeping and kept.htm

Whether the Priest Alone is Bound by the Seal of Confession?
... seal of confession affects the priest as minister of this sacrament: which seal
is nothing else than the obligation of keeping the confession secret, even as ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the priest alone is.htm

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